Military tribunal members and accused in court.




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Background: Three civilians and an Army lieutenant appeared before a military tribunal in Accra yesterday (Tuesday) charged with plotting a coup last January, and planning to assassinate the members of the ruling National Liberation Council.

The four accused are: Sampson Sasu Baffour-Awuah, a student of the now defunct Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute; John Osei Poku, a former senior administrative officer of the worker's brigade; Ko fi Owusu; and Lieutenant Augustus Owusu-Gyimah.

The tribunal is sitting in public. It was adjourned yesterday before charges were read, or pleas taken, to enable the accused to obtain legal representation. It will resume today.

Ghana's Naval Chief of Staff, Rear-Admiral David A. Hansen is presiding over the six-man tribunal which has the power to give the death sentence. Mr. Justice G. C. Mills-Odoi, Judge Advocate-General of the Ghana Army, is Judge Advocate of the Tribunal.

Mr. K. Gyeke-Darko Principal State Attorney, is leading the prosecution.